Your Shopping & Ordering Timeline with Kimberly James Bridal

Jan 15

The Ultimate Timeline for Wedding Gown Shopping: When to Buy, Expect Delivery, and Start Alterations

Finding your dream wedding gown is one of the most exciting and special moments of wedding planning. However, with all the excitement comes a lot of important timing decisions to make. From when to start shopping to when alterations should begin, here's a comprehensive timeline to ensure everything goes smoothly and stress-free as your big day approaches.

While it might feel like your wedding day is a lifetime away, it’s not prudent to wait to shop until too close to the wedding. Ideally, you should begin your search at least 1 year before your wedding. Some brides opt for shopping a year and half before their wedding to make sure they have time to go to multiple stores and book retry appointments before the big decision is made.

Why so early? Well, gowns aren’t going to ship the next day! These things take time. Bridal gown designers often work months in advance, and many gowns are made to order. This means that if you wait too long, you may not be able to get your chosen dress in time. If you're opting for any customizations like additional beading, a sleeve design, or a change in fabric, this may take extra time as well.

At Kimberly James Bridal, gowns take 5-6 months to ship, and then we recommend alterations start about 3 months before the wedding. That means that shopping any later than 9 months before the wedding gets into some dangerous crunch time.

Worried because you are already closer than 9 months out? We at KJB have a *Rush* shipping option that puts your dress higher on the designer’s list and then fast-tracks your delivery to 2-3 months out. The rush fee is $200. Let your stylist know your wedding date and she will be able to deduce whether you are a candidate for the rush option.

As soon as you have found the gown of your dreams and made your decision, it's time to make the purchase. Typically, your wedding dress will be ordered right then, once you have decided. Most bridal gowns are made to order, meaning designers will create your gown after you've selected it.

** Helpful hint: Some brides that are shopping more than a year out have asked us if it’s too soon to order, and if they should wait 6 months or so and then order their dress at this later point. Short answer? No! Do not wait! We often only have one week’s notice when a designer decides to discontinue a gown. This means that, whichever gown you decide on, we cannot guarantee it will still be orderable even two weeks from now. Thus, it is best not to wait to order your gown once you have decided.**

At this point, your bridal consultant at Kimberly James Bridal will take measurements and choose the right size. Bridal sizing often runs smaller than ready-to-wear, so don’t be alarmed if your dress is marked a size or two larger than your regular clothing. Your bridal consultant will help guide you on understanding sizing and alterations.

As mentioned above, our wedding gowns typically take 5 to 6 months to arrive after your order has been placed (unless you have opted for Rush shipping for the extra fee). We expect this 5-6 month estimate because we are also accounting for possible shipping delays, altered production timelines, or any unforeseen issues.

Once your gown arrives at the boutique, you'll be contacted to come pick it up, and you’ll have a full hour-long appointment to try it on with your bridal consultant and learn what alterations may be required. This is also a good time to pick out your veil if you haven’t done so yet!

Once you have picked up your gown and made any final payments, your next immediate step depends on how close to wedding day it is. If your wedding date is 2-3 months away, alterations need to start as soon as possible. At KJB, sometimes we can schedule your first alterations fitting for immediately after your pickup if time is of the essence.
If you are more than 3 months out from your wedding, go ahead and make the appointment with your seamstress or tailor for around that 3-month-out-date so that it is in your calendar, and so that you have reserved your spot. Alterations generally start about 3 months before the wedding to ensure there is enough time for multiple fittings. Altering your gown for the perfect fit is crucial, and this process usually requires at least 3, and sometimes up to 5, visits to the seamstress.

Some typical alterations you might need include:

Hemming the length of the gown
Adjusting the neckline or sleeves
Adding or removing layers of fabric
Adding a bustle to the gown
Taking in the waist, hips, and bust to get that perfect fit
Adding support in the bust area

Remember, alterations are a process. Scheduling your fittings well in advance will allow time for any changes needed and for final tweaks as the big day approaches.

Your final alterations fitting should take place about 1 month before your wedding day. By this point, your gown should fit perfectly, and any minor adjustments will be made. You’ll want to bring the shoes and undergarments you'll be wearing on the day of the wedding, so the seamstress can ensure everything is perfect.

During this fitting, the last details, like making sure the bustle works properly and everything feels comfortable, will be addressed. Once everything is just right, your gown is ready to be picked up!

1-2 weeks before your wedding, make sure you try it on one last time to confirm it fits perfectly. You’ll also want to have your gown carefully steamed for a flawless look. At this point, it’s a good idea to keep your gown in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight. Don’t forget to gather any accessories like your veil or bridal sash to check that everything coordinates as it should!

When the morning of the big day arrives, have one of your family members or bridesmaids give the dress one last steam with a hand-steamer. Also designate who will be helping to bustle your gown after the ceremony, and when and where to meet them for this. It’s best to build this into your wedding day timeline so you don’t miss anything important!

Now it is time to enjoy your wedding day in the gown you’ve always dreamed of!

Some Extra Tips for Stress-Free Gown Shopping and Alterations

Stay Flexible: Sometimes, a gown may not arrive on time or may require more alterations than anticipated. It’s important to stay flexible if any small changes come up.
Keep Communication Open: Keep in touch with your bridal boutique, seamstress, and any other vendors who might be involved in ensuring the perfect fit. Good communication can avoid any surprises.
Don’t Delay: Once your wedding is 12-16 months away, the sooner you start shopping, the less stressful it will be. Bridal shops and seamstresses get busier as your wedding date approaches, so giving yourself plenty of time ensures you're not rushed.
How soon is too soon to shop? Anytime sooner than 1.5 years out from your wedding is, in our opinion, too soon to shop. Many new styles will come out during the following months, and what you think you want may change! Thus, it’s been to shop around 12-16 months out.

By following this timeline, you'll have plenty of time to shop for your gown, make necessary alterations, and walk down the aisle feeling stunning. Happy shopping and best wishes for your big day!